Archive for March, 2012

We hate to kick off the weekend like this but we’ve got a bit of a good news/bad news situation. What do you want to hear first? Good then bad? Really? Wouldn’t have been our pick but we’ll go ahead and lay it on you.

The far less than good news is the show is also similarly sold out. But before you head off thinking that we’d leave you on a down note, rest assured that we’ve got a solid chaser of silver lining to share. You’ll have another chance to see the Denver trio perform this week as the band is playing a free in-store performance at Sonic Boom this Tuesday 4/2 at 6 p.m.

Whether you’ll be heading to Neumos, catching live music elsewhere (Note: For a show with elements closest to what you would have seen at Neumos, we recommend Carolina Chocolate Drops at Showbox) or staying in with your cat, we hope you hope your night ends on a good note.

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As we’ve said many times to friends and strangers within earshot and at least a few times on the blog, Ravenna Woods‘ music is a beautifully controlled chaos. They feature unexpected syncopation and wild drum beats wrapped in delicate harmonies and meticulously crafted lyrics. While their local roots already inspire us to favor them a bit, their musical chops are what make us love them.

Be sure to watch their full KEXP set below and head over to Vera to take in the highly percussive, rhythmically dynamic set in person.

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Is that the weekend yet? No? Well, Thursday certainly ain’t too shabby, so we might as well let ourselves think about the glorious days at the week’s end. Never too early to ensure we’re all getting the music fix we all need and deserve…

Sing-along friendly folk pop from a Denver trio – Note: The show’s currently sold out but don’t worry too much as you can see the band for a free in-store performance at Sonic Boom, Tuesday 4/2 at 6 p.m.

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It’s always a strange scene when a performer wouldn’t be allowed to even enter the venue if not for the fact he’s the night’s entertainment. Tonight at the Sunset presents one of those situations as Howler mastermind Jordan Gatesmith is still two years shy of the legal drinking age. As the story goes, Jordan didn’t even pick up the guitar until five years ago. American youth. What can’t they do?

Luckily for those of with the proper identification, Jordan and the rest of the touring band for Howler will be bringing the band’s catchy, often danceable surf rock to one our city’s most intimate venues tonight. Combining half century-old rock-n-roll sensibilities with an 80s punk aesthetic, Howler produces the type of music that might make you feel just as alive as you did when you first heard The Strokes over a decade ago. As the young band from Minneapolis claims The Cramps, The Replacements and The Velvet Underground among their top influences, music fans longing for punk-infused rock with retro tendencies will certainly feel at home, if not even older, at the Sunset tonight.

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Well before we learned Reykjavík was a sister city of Seattle, we’ve been extremely fond of the Northern capital. Sure some of this has to do with the time we’ve spent in and the personal ties we have to Scandinavia, but ultimately we’re drawn to the Icelandic capital because of the natural beauty of the place and the spirit of its people. As it turns out, the spirit is one that is often best expressed musically.

Tonight’s Showbox SoDo headliners, Of Monsters and Men are yet another example of Northern Europe’s musical skill. The young Icelandic six-piece couples orchestral instrumentation with emotive, often intertwining vocals to great effect in joyful ways that often make listening to the band feel like you’re listening to a female-fronted Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes or perhaps a more expansive The Head and the Heart.

If you’re a fan of what you’ve heard so far, be sure to head down to Showbox SoDo for the live experience.

As we wrote last month, “Matthew Caws has always been the lyricist who seemingly captures the very same highs and lows we feel by placing them poetically into nearly-prefect expressions of failed dreams often sprinkled with glimmers of hope.”

Way back then, we strongly recommended both Matthew’s solo set at the Sasquatch Launch Party as well as the headlining set with his band at the Tractor later that same evening. This weekend, however, we present with you a much easier option that doesn’t require a cross-town, mid-show scramble to ensure you’re not missing a second of your favorite Nada Surf songs.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or not, do yourself a favor and listen to a track from the band’s newest album The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy, watch the video for “When I Was Young” below and check out the live experience in the U-District tomorrow night.

…And we’re back! How’s everyone been? Have your non-Seattle festivals, drinking holidays and/or sports watching been treating you well? Well, we’ll let you get back to the regular rhythm that nearly returns late March but first, be sure to check out our newly updated calendar page.

As always, keep your eyes on the main page as we’ll be posting day-of previews for these shows and more.

This week, we’re currently most excited about the following shows. How about you?

3/19 (Monday) and 3/20 (Tuesday) – The Magnetic Fields @ Neptune

Quirky and usually witty indie pop from the quirky, usually witty and always self-important Stephin Merritt and co.

3/20 (Tuesday) – Drive-By Truckers @ Showbox

Surprisingly intelligent, well-worded country infused Southern rock from old favorites.

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As we wrote in December, Yukon Blonde is a group of Northern neighbors that plays some of the finest Canyon Rock (as displayed by their excellent 2011 EP “Fire/Water”) that’s hit our ears for years. After ringing in the New Year in Australia, the Vancouver band is back in North American with the most danceable rock songs we’ve yet to hear from the band. Tonight, the band will be playing a KEXP show at the Sunset with Jon Pontrello and special guests

Be sure to watch one of the band’s videos below, read our December interview and head over to Ballard tonight to take in the live experience for yourself.